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Published 31st January 2018

Bluetooth prepares for mesh-based expansion as Sigma sells off Z-Wave

The Bluetooth SIG is preparing for the 20-year anniversary of its protocol, eyeing new opportunities in the IoT and automotive sectors, as well as smart buildings and industrial deployments. Much of the focus is on introducing Bluetooth Mesh as an option for developers in these new applications. This optimism in the Bluetooth camp comes amid turbulence for mesh rival Sigma Designs, which went into liquidation last week after its acquisition deal with Silicon Labs fell through. Part of that deal was that Silicon Labs would buy just the Z-Wave mesh networking IP and business for $240m, should the parties not be able to agree on a full merger. Silicon Labs is a mixed signal RF CMOS specialist that has had…